The activities proposed hereafter are still subject to the adoption of the financing decision ECHO/WWD/ BUD/2015/01000
AMOUNT: EUR 25 000 000
- CONTEXT
The long standing political stalemate in the Middle East Process (MEPP) and the policies of Israel have resulted in a protracted protection crisis with humanitarian consequences caused by prolonged occupation and recurrent violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
Humanitarian agencies have witnessed in the past year the shrinking of their humanitarian operating space and the reduction of their ability to respond to needs on the ground. In January 2014, the ICRC was compelled to partly withdraw from its emergency response to demolitions in the Jordan Valley as a result of the increased pressure from the Government of Israel (GoI) on response to demolitions in Area C (a humanitarian response considered illegal by the GoI). Regular denial and impediments on access of humanitarian workers and relief assistance to Gaza were also witnessed throughout 2014.
The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under International Law, has contributed to an increase in demolitions of private Palestinian property, deterioration of access to basic services, increase in settler violence, and restrictions on movement and access, which all lead to forcible displacement.
The Gaza Strip has suffered three wars in seven years. In the meantime, the collective punishement of the civilian population continues for the eighth year in a row due to the blockade imposed by the GoI, which is in breach of its obligation under IHL. This blockade translates into a situation of continuous economic de-development with consequent increase of vulnerabilities. Unless normal movement of people and goods is allowed to resume there will be no fundemental change in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.